
Maputo, 20 Jan (AIM) – Mozambique’s National Association of Teachers (ANAPRO) has demanded an explanation from the authorities on how nine million meticais (about 141,000 dollars at the current exchange rate), earmarked for special exams, were spent.
The special exams were scheduled for students who were unable to take the national exams in December as a result of the post-election crisis characterized by mass demonstrations called by former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane to protest against the fraudulent results of the general elections held on 9 October.
According to ANAPRO chairperson, Isac Marrengule, speaking to reporters, in Maputo, the association has already filed a formal request for clarification to the Education Ministry, through the National Institute of Examinations, Certification and Equivalences (INECE).
“The request is based on the law on freedom of information, demanding details on the distribution and application of resources. The petitioner is asking for data such as the number of pupils served, the costs per pupil, the companies involved and the award procedures to be presented, accompanied by supporting documents”, he said.
He explained that this measure is aimed at ensuring transparency in the use of public resources and to inform school communities about the management of funds.
“We are warning of possible irregularities and negative impacts on pupils”, he said.
According to Marrengule, so far INECE has not issued an official response to ANAPRO’s request and the expectation is that the information will be provided within the deadlines set by the Right to Information Act.
ANAPRO had announced that it will boycott the special exams if the government does not pay them the overtime work that it has been owing for the past three years. The association claims that its boycott of final exams in primary and secondary schools affected about 35,000 pupils across the country.
The teachers in the Mozambican National Education System are also threatening not to work with classes of over 100 pupils, since overcrowding has been harming the quality of education.
(AIM)
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